pkurtz2

"Nehmo" <nehmo54@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1137895163.229965.28440@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> "Pull-behind" trailers are trailers that connect to the tow vehicle by
> a ball (or other attaching arrangement) on the back of tow vehicle and
> a trailer hitch on the tongue attached to the front of the frame of the
> trailer. If the trailer is improperly-loaded into a tail-heavy
> condition (in other words, the center of gravity is to the rear of the
> center of the axles) arrangement, it will sway from side to side. But
> why? Why would tail-heavy conditions cause such behavior? The weight on
> the tongue would be negative, but I still can't understand the swaying
> mechanism.
> --
> (||) Nehmo (||)
>
Nehmo, the reason this happens is due to the wind being able to catch the
underside of the trailer creating lift. It also happens because it can lift
the back of the truck up off the springs, even if it is a slight amount, it
will cause this problem. And then because the trailer is attached to the
very rear of the truck, it causes the rear axle to act like a pendulum and
causes the front of the truck to sway side to side. If the driver is
experienced in pulling a trailer, he can stop the sway action. You just have
to hold the steering wheel very straight, and not side to side to try to
counter the sway. And yes, balancing the load on a trailer is extremely
important, you dont want there to be any lift on the hitching device. This
can cause an improperly hitched trailer to come loose, and possibly come
completely free of the vehicle. Always use tow chains, criss-crossed under
the hitch (so as to look like they are going to catch the tongue if it comes
undone), and with enough slack that you can take hard corners without
stretching or getting the chains tight.
Happy towing,
Pk